Lockheed Martin’s production capability of fighter wing shipset at TLMAL
Lockheed Martin, on 7 December 2021, formally recognised TataLockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) as a potential future co-producer of fighter wings. A ceremonial event marking the first fighter wing prototype built at the TLMAL facility in Hyderabad was attended by Mr. K.T. Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Industries and Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana; along with other government dignitaries; Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Global Business Development executives; and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and TLMAL leadership.
TLMAL, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, was established in 2010. TLMAL exemplifies the government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat ‘Make in India’ goals and serves as the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies that are installed on all new Super Hercules aircraft. TLMAL recently reached the milestone of manufacturing and delivering the 150th C-130J empennage.
Lockheed Martin and TLMAL signed an agreement to develop a fighter wing prototype in 2018. Through this prototype project, TLMAL demonstrated the capability to perform detailed part manufacturing and delivery of a fully compliant representative fighter aircraft wing shipset. This achievement further strengthens Lockheed Martin’s partnership with India; and supports its F-21 offering for procurement of 114 new fighter aircraft — exclusively for India and the Indian Air Force — by proving additional indigenous production capability.
Lockheed Martin continues to build upon more than seven decades of association and three decades of partnerships with India by nurturing and expanding collaborations with local industry to support the evolution of indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystems, and further advance India’s strategic security and industrial capabilities. These range from transport, maritime and fighter aircraft, to shipborne air and missile defence projects, as well as capabilities in civil sectors including new and renewable energy.